TBM Staff - Mumbai Japan’s tourism sector has been booming in 2024, with visitor spending reaching a record-breaking USD 39 billion in the first nine months of the year, according to data from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO).
The weak yen has played a significant role in driving this surge, attracting a larger influx of international tourists. By September, visitor expenditures had already surpassed the previous annual record of 5.3 trillion yen set in 2023.
Tourism spending is now positioned to become Japan’s second-largest export sector, trailing only behind the automotive industry, and surpassing electronic components. On average, tourists spent around 223,000 yen (approximately USD 1,490) during their visits, with Italian visitors leading in spending, followed by tourists from Spain and Russia.
In terms of tourist arrivals, Japan welcomed 2.87 million visitors in September alone, just slightly below the 2.93 million in August. Since February, the country has been setting new monthly visitor records, including an all-time high of 3.29 million in July.
Total arrivals for the year up to September reached 26.88 million, already exceeding the total for 2023 and well on track to surpass the pre-pandemic record of 31.9 million set in 2019.
